"What an utter absurdity! Who says so?"
"It is being said among the men," replied Ross, turning towards him. "They can talk of nothing else this morning."
The colour was receding from Frank's face, leaving it whiter than usual.
"Bell at the bottom of the shaft!" exclaimed Dr. Raynor. "But why are they saying this? Who says it?"
Ross pointed to the groups of men in the street, some of whom were in view of the window. "All of them, doctor. They are talking of nothing else."
"What are their grounds for saying this?"
"I haven't got to them yet. I don't think they know themselves."
Since the first hasty words, Frank had remained silent, apparently paying attention to his physic-bottles. He spoke again now in a sharp, grating tone; which was very unusual in him, and therefore noticeable.
"It is not likely that there are any grounds for it. I wonder, Ross, you can come here and repeat such nonsense!"
"The place is buzzing with it; that's all I know," replied Ross, rather sulkily, as he went out. He could never bear to be found fault with.